Man Apparently Drowns Off Laupahoehoe Point 08/27/00

A Hilo man apparently drowned Sunday (August 27, 2000) in waters off Laupahoehoe Point in North Hilo.

Responding at a 2 p.m. call, North Hilo patrol and fire personnel determined that the 39-year-old victim had been swept out to sea.

Onlookers said several beachgoers had gone out on boogie boards to try to rescue the victim, but he had gone under by the time they reached him. The beachgoers managed to pull the victim onto one of the boogie boards and held him there until a rescue helicopter reached them.

The victim was taken to the Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 3:05 p.m.

The name of the victim was being withheld until notification of his next of kin.